diocesan pilgrimage

Pilgrimage Artwork, Prayer Unveiled

HERALD Staff Report
(From the Issue of 5/3/07)

The commissioned artwork for the diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has been completed by local artist Caroline Spinelli. The original design depicts Our Lady of Fatima appearing to the three shepherd children at the image center, flanked at the top by the National Shrine and at the bottom by the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde earlier selected “Our Lady of Fatima, Open Our Hearts to Christ” as the pilgrimage theme. The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will tour the Arlington Diocese for 15 weeks from June 4 through Oct. 12. The bishop invites all diocesan parishioners to join him in welcoming the Pilgrim Virgin Statue to the diocese on Thursday, May 31, at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More at 7 p.m.
Diocesan parishes are being encouraged to host the statue at some point during the summer. Parishes will receive an informational binder with instructions and program samples, prayers, homilies and other logistical information. Sister Clare Hunter, F.S.E., is coordinating the visitation schedule for the statue. She can be reached at 703/841-3817.
Father Paul deLadurantaye, secretary for religious education and sacred liturgy, composed a beautiful pilgrimage prayer. It reads:
“Heavenly Father, You desire that all people be saved. You sent your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, to seek out the lost and lead them home to heaven through His death and resurrection.
“From heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary came to Fatima to call all people to prayer, penance and conversion of heart.
“As we listen to the message and motherly concern of Our Lady of Fatima, may our hearts and the hearts of all the faithful in our diocese, be touched by the light of your divine grace.
“Grant that we may always entrust ourselves to Christ, Your Son, and to the loving care of Mary, our mother. Through the prayers we offer and the penances we undertake, may our hearts and lives be opened to the salvation Christ has won for us.
“Through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, may we be led safely home to you, our Father in heaven, Who, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
“Our Lady of Fatima, open our hearts to Christ!”
The bi-annual pilgrimage will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13, the 90th anniversary of the Marian apparition at Fatima, Portugal. More than 3,000 pilgrims are expected to attend. Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan will be the keynote address. Bishop Loverde will be the celebrant and homilist at the closing liturgy.
The Offices of Youth Ministry and Catholic Schools will once again conduct an essay and poster contest. An exhibit of the winners will be on display at the shrine on the day of the pilgrimage. The winners will receive gift certificates to local religious goods stores. Schools also will be encouraged to invite first communicants, students recently confirmed, RCIA candidates and those welcomed into the Church.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage is supported by funds from the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal.